Tomah Chamber Director Receives Navy Commission

The Greater Tomah Area Chamber of Commerce announced that Executive Director Chris Hanson was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy on Sunday, September 16th. He will immediately begin his duties as an Ensign in Navy Public Affairs.

“I am humbled and honored they picked me,” Hanson said. “Commissioning is an extremely competitive process and there were only a handful nation-wide who were selected in the Public Affairs field. I am excited that I will now work in a field that is very similar to my civilian experience. As an added bonus, the additional military public affairs training will only benefit the Chamber and our community.”

Hanson, who was most recently serving as Senior Chief Petty Officer Hospital Corpsman (E-8), had begun the application process last November. His new position will allow him remain in reserve status, which will not impact his position with the Chamber and Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“I’ve been asked why I wanted to make this transition this late in my career,” Hanson said, alluding to the switch from senior enlisted to a junior officer. “Some consider this as starting over at the bottom. However, I look at this as a great opportunity for me to be able to prolong my Navy career and do so while fulfilling a dream I’ve had all my life of being an officer in the US Navy.”

This entry was posted by WRJC News on September 26, 2012 at 8:31 am, and is filled under Milestones. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.